Movement Matters: From Sun Life advocacy to the FIBA court
Sun Life Philippines moves
Various communities in the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam will soon get to enjoy revitalized basketball courts and basketball training programs as Sun Life donates PHP 40 million to promote healthier lives among marginalized youth across Asia.
The philanthropic program will be mounted in partnership with Beyond Sport, a global sport-for-social-change foundation. This is in answer to the 2022 Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance report sponsored by Sun Life. It showed high levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents across Asia. This contributes to high rates of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, mental health challenges and other damaging health outcomes.
The report further showed, that in terms of overall physical activity, Hong Kong and Malaysia attained a grade of D. Meanwhile, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam received an F, which means fewer than 20% of children ages 6 to 17 achieve an average of at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity across the week.
Promoting movement is an important aspect of Sun Life’s health and wellness advocacy. We constantly explore fun and engaging ways to promote it among Filipinos, especially the youth.
– said Sun Life Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer Carla Gonzalez-Chong.
For this particular initiative, we took inspiration in our country’s love for basketball so we can encourage everyone to make physical activity a part of their lifestyle.
– Gonzalez-Chong added
For his part, Beyond Sport Executive Director Fred Turner highlighted how young people globally face barriers to accessing sport and all the advantages that come with it.
Often, that barrier is as simple as having a safe space to move and play. We are proud to partner with Sun Life to improve physical and mental wellbeing outcomes for marginalized youth. We hope this program, built with community and sustainability in mind, will help them develop life-long habits that will allow them to thrive.
– Beyond Sport Executive Director Fred Turner stated
The initiative is part of Sun Life’s #MovementMatters campaign, which aims to promote physical activity as an important aspect of living healthier lives.
#MovementMatters gains momentum
The campaign earlier kicked off with a 3×3 charity event simultaneously held in Manila and Jakarta, Indonesia from August 18 to 20. The Manila leg, dubbed “Sun Life 3×3 Charity Challenge,” was held at SM Megamall. A total of 349 participants joined led by various celebrities and basketball influencers such as Gab Banal, Ael Banal, Brent Javier, Jollo Go, Andre Felix, and Thor Gomez. Brent Paraiso, John Custodio. Axel Torres, Pat Sugui, Kirst Viray, Ralph Molina Martin Reyes, Miguel Aytona, Hendrix Jim, and Martin Javier were also present.
Sun Life donated PHP 4,000 for every participant in both Manila and Jakarta., and for every like, share, comment, and post on social media with the hashtag #MovementMatters, paving the way for a total donation of PHP 40 million.
The event also aligns with the participation of Team Canada and its top players in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup happening in Manila. Sun Life is the Official Health & Wellness Partner of Canada Basketball.
– Gonzalez-Chong said.
We’re thrilled about the momentum we’ve set for the #MovementMatters campaign and look forward to everyone’s continued support. With our concerted efforts,
we can certainly help more people live healthier lives.
Movement Matters in FIBA
This campaign to move fits perfectly not only in Sun Life’s push for healthier lives but mattered even more in the FIBA World Cup 2023. The most awaited Canada-Slovenia face-off heated the stage as the teams pushes for their victory at the FIBA Quarterfinals last September 8.
Almost 12,000 basketball fans from all over the world gathered at Mall of Asia Arena to witness superstars Luka Doncic of Slovenia and Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) in one court, fighting for one cup. Strong chants seemed to be the roaring fighting spirits among the fans filled the arena as they cheered for their bets.
SGA-led Canada dominated the first quarter of the game with a 26-24 score against Slovenia. The game was close that thrilled the spectators even more, especially on the last 2 minutes of the quarter where the scores went 20-20. Meanwhile, several three-pointer shots from Slovenia’s Doncic and Prepelic added excitement and hope among their fans.
in the second quarter of the game, the match became even closer. More three-point shots from both teams made their supporters stand from their seats and wave the countries’ flags in every score made. On the other hand, the second quarter left the fans hanging as the match ended with a 50-50 score just right before the half-time show from J9 Dancers and Heart-stopping tricks from the Dunking Devils.
From third until the last quarter of the game, Canada showed their strong strategies and commanded the game to their favor with several three-point shots from their team. A minute before the Quarterfinals conclude, fans started cheering and waving their red-white flags, and declaring the trumph of the Canadian Players. SGA-led team advances to the semifinals as they won against Slovenia in a 100-89 match.
As Sun Life Philippines continue to push forward their advocacy for healthier lifestyle through sports; and as Canada continues to push for their victory towards the FIBA World Cup 2023; movement proves that it matters.
